Tens of thousands of people die each year of lung cancer. After smoking, radon is the number two cause. So how can a simple home radon test reduce your family’s risk from this radioactive gas? It’s time you knew.

You know about the dangers of carbon monoxide. You’ve probably seen the heartbreaking stories on the news about entire families that went to sleep at night and never woke up because of carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty furnace. You may even have a detector or two in your house. But how much do you know about radon, another silent killer? How much of this highly toxic gas is in your house and how is it affecting the health of your family?

Like carbon monoxide, radon is a colorless, odorless gas responsible for far too many deaths each year, deaths that could easily be prevented. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies have been done showing definitive evidence of a link between radon in homes and lung cancer. In fact, as the number-one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, radon is responsible for more than 20,000 deaths every year. That’s more than the number of deaths attributed to drunk driving, and almost 3,000 of those deaths happen to people who have never smoked.

Unlike carbon monoxide, however, you cannot monitor the level of radon in your home by sticking a detector on the wall and changing the batteries each year. The only way to know how much radon is in your home is to have a radon test. The truth is, nearly 1 of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels. So regardless of what state or what type of home you live in, radon gas testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk. New or old construction, drafty or well-sealed, with or without a basement, it makes no difference. This known carcinogen is in the air you breathe; it’s just a question of how much is present.

Radon comes from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. The radioactive gas is present in outdoor air and makes its way into homes through cracks in foundations and walls, construction joints, gaps in floors and around service pipes, and cavities inside walls. The EPA believes the principal source of radon in homes comes from the soil in contact with basement floors and walls. As radon moves up through the ground to the air above, it becomes trapped inside your home, where it can build up and pollute the air you breathe. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are all factors that can affect the level of radon.

The good news is radon testing is easy. The EPA, the U.S. Surgeon General, and the U.N.’s World Health Organization all recommend testing your home for radon. You can test your home on your own using an inexpensive do-it-yourself radon test kit or hire a qualified radon contractor to run the test for you. While DIY tests may be susceptible to human error, a licensed radon professional can use high-pressure sampling pumps and filtered cassettes to test the ambient air in your home and then send those samples to a certified lab for further analysis. The whole process takes just a few days.

The amount of radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter” or “pCi/L.” On average, the radon concentration in the indoor air of America’s homes is about 1.3 pCi/L, with wide variations occurring from state to state and house to house. Any radon gas test in the area of 4 pCi/L is considered highly toxic and should be seen as a red flag for taking quick action to remedy the situation. Yet, given the uncertainty about the exact magnitude of radon risks, the EPA recommends that homeowners consider fixing their homes when the radon level is 2 pCi/L and above. Simple solutions to radon problems are available at about the same cost as other common home repairs. Contact your state radon office to find qualified radon contractors in your area.

You’d never expose your family to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Yet you and your loved ones could be at risk from radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Learn the facts surrounding this other silent killer, and take steps today to check the radon levels in your home.

A type of toxic drywall containing hazardous levels of strontium and other dangerous elements, Chinese drywall has recently gained attention for its negative effects on households across the United States. Imported from China, this type of drywall causes damage to your building’s structure as well as to you and your fellow inhabitants. Incidents have been reported in 42 different states across the country, and the fact that problems are not isolated to one region makes it all the more difficult to pinpoint precisely which homes may be affected. That’s why it’s imperative that you learn to identify the different signs of Chinese drywall and take proper action if you find it in your home.

A relatively recent development in the housing industry, Chinese sheet rock and drywall products have only been used in the construction of American homes between 2001 and 2009. Fortunately, if your house was built before or after this time period, you may not be in danger of experiencing serious Chinese drywall problems. However, if your home was constructed between 2001 and 2009, or was built in close proximity to that time period, then you’ll need to carefully look around your home for the telltale signs of toxic drywall.

The most common indicators include:

• Slightly gray drywall color
• Reverse side of drywall is labeled “Made in China” or contains Chinese writing
• Pitted or corroded metal fixtures
• Sulfuric or “rotten egg” smell that persists when windows and doors are shut
• Blackened or corroded copper (e.g. wires and coils)
• Repeatedly corroded coils in A/C units
• Allergies, nosebleeds, and respiratory problems that occur exclusively indoors

If you do happen to detect any of the above Chinese drywall symptoms, being proactive is crucial if you want to ensure continued health and safety for your home. Testing for Chinese drywall will allow you to confirm the presence of harmful strontium levels in your building’s walls and take proper action.

However, testing for Chinese drywall is not a simple task. In order to accurately measure the levels of strontium and other harmful chemical elements in your home’s walls, a local specialist might be your best bet. He or she will be able to take samples of your drywall, corroded copper, and indoor air quality and have them analyzed in a certified laboratory. Once the existence of toxic drywall is proven, you’ll then be able to contact the appropriate contractors to start replacing the dangerous building materials.

Remember, if you’ve experienced frequent nosebleeds indoors, smelled an unpleasant sulfur odor permeating your indoor air, or noticed any of the above Chinese drywall problems, simply initiating a standard test is all you need to do to get started on preserving the condition of your home.

Mold spores are naturally present in the air, but when they land on damp surfaces, they start to multiply. Since mold can grow almost anywhere, it can be difficult to see it and to take stock of the problem on a visual level. However, your body will very likely be able to signal if there’s a mold issue in your home. As it develops, mold growth can exacerbate existing health concerns, particularly respiratory problems, and can cause new ones as well. If the quality of your health or breathing in your home has deteriorated recently, mold may well be the culprit. A mold inspection expert can determine if mold is, in fact, responsible, and can either recommend a mold cleanup firm or can provide mold remediation services.

Living or working in a building that is infested with mold can, according to the World Health Organization, significantly increase your risk of developing a respiratory disorder. Mold is an allergen for many people, and some varieties (such as Stachybotrys, or black mold) can also produce actual toxic substances that can also cause respiratory problems. Symptoms of mold exposure or allergic reactions can include sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and wheezing. It can also cause tearing and redness of the eyes and skin irritation or rash. Mold also contributes to asthma symptoms and attacks. The severity of these reactions differs from individual to individual and also depends on the concentration and the type of mold present. If you’ve noticed any change in the quality of your breathing while indoors, though, it’s worth testing for mold. Mold grows quickly and is harder and harder to remove the longer it’s allowed to infiltrate your home, so you should get a specialist in right away if you or someone in your household starts having breathing difficulties or new allergic-type reactions. 

If you do call a mold detection company, they will first test the indoor air quality in various spaces of your home in order to determine if there are excess mold spores present. Since mold often grows in hidden places, testing the air is the best and most comprehensive way to find out if you have a mold problem. If there is a mold issue, you need to get a mold cleanup crew in as soon as possible. It’s possible that the same company that performed testing services for you also provides removal services. At the very least, they can recommend a mold removal company that can get your home and air quality cleaned up. Mold remediation involves two main parts–getting rid of the mold and making sure that the damp conditions that allowed it to grow in the first place are eradicated. Once those steps are taken, mold should no longer be a problem, and you can rest easily knowing that the respiratory health of your family is safe.

While mold is part of the natural world, excess mold growth within a building can be extremely dangerous. If you or anyone in your family is experiencing breathing issues out of the ordinary or allergic reactions, call a mold testing company right away and engage a mold removal expert if you do have a problem.

When looking for a handyman service, it is important to take experience and quality of work into account. Whether you need plumbing, remodeling, or household repairs, choosing the right handyman services can make all the difference.

Finding a handyman that does an excellent job can be time-consuming and difficult. Yet, it can also be a positive experience that may lead to a lifetime of quality service. Therefore, it is important to find a handyman who is not only an expert in things like air conditioner repair but also remodeling or even foundation repair.

Some projects, like water heater installations, are best left to professionals as they can become expensive or even dangerous when done without any training. This is where the need for a handyman becomes glaringly apparent. Major projects like this can make your home look well groomed and provide safe, reliable performance when done professionally. Consider the eyesore that a rusting water heater or cracking cement would be in your basement. These issues would detract from the beauty and value of your home and can be avoided by hiring a professional.

Any concerns about the cost of a good handyman with ample experience is offset when considering the fact that a quality job eliminates the need for further repairs or replacements. In addition, hiring just one handyman can cover the areas of a plumber, foundation contractor, and air conditioning contractor, among other things. This eliminates the need for at least three different separate contractors and any costs that hiring different companies would create.

Quality handyman services are few and far between, yet they can make life worlds easier and can reduce the stress caused by issues in your home. With a wide variety of skills and services available, a good handyman can make your home look–and perform–the way it should.

The best kind of handyman is one who can wear many different hats. After all, homes and businesses contain a wide variety of utilities and features that could require repair and maintenance at any time in order to continue looking great and serving you the way they should. Your local handyman services provider takes pride in being able to handle nearly every building improvement task there is, from the foundation to the roof. Providing services for both the interior and exterior of homes and businesses, you can take care of many different repair needs at once with one simple phone call.

Some of the tasks available through your local handyman include:

Master Plumber Work – From faucet repair to unclogging a stubborn drain, your local handyman is well-versed in the hidden world of pipes that run through your walls. Malfunctioning faucets, dirty drains, and toilets that back up may not seem like urgent problems, but the reality is that these seemingly small kinks could cause further damage over time if left untreated. They can also cost you countless dollars in wasted water, create unsavory sights and smells, and cause health concerns. Your master plumber is also qualified to handle more specialized plumbing work, such as rooter service and water heater installation and repair. So if you are experiencing an unfortunate dearth of hot showers coupled with a backed up drain, your capable plumbing handyman is just one phone call away.

Remodeling – Remodeling contractor work allows you to reinvent your space to create an entirely new, modern ambiance. Whether you are looking to finish your basement, update your bathroom, or replace those hideous kitchen cabinets with something a little more to your taste, your local handyman has the remodeling experience and knowledge to customize your space. He or she can even help you choose which building materials and products would work best given your structural circumstances and aesthetic goals. Go to http://handyman-services-nola.louisiana-biz.com for professional and affordable remodeling options.

Foundation Repair – As a foundation repair expert and concrete contractor, your local handyman knows how to service the core support system of a building. After all, your home or business is only as strong as the foundation that anchors it to the Earth. Using crack repair sealants, clamps, and other specialized foundation support tools, your foundation repair contractor can repair bowing walls, cracks, and shifting or leaning foundations.

These services are just a sampling of the great options that your local handyman services provider is able to offer you. From painting your home to repairing broken doorknobs to replacing broken sinks, there is no job too large or small. Visit http://handyman-services-nola.louisiana-biz.com and knock all of those pesky repairs off of your chore list!

Home improvement can be a necessity–and a source of fun! Call your local handyman to find out how their services can help you live better and your property look better!

It could happen to anyone. One day you live in a normal house, complete with a white picket fence and two cars in the garage. Then one day, you notice tiny hairline cracks in the basement walls. Just routine settling and aging, right? That’s what you tell yourself, until one day the basement walls look like they’re bowing out. Soon, there is no question that they’re bowing out. Before you know it your dream house is on the way to becoming the next Leaning Tower of Pisa, and your children are convinced that one morning they’ll wake up to find that the house has sunk all the way to China. Don’t despair–call your local handyman service and concrete contractors to reinforce your walls, install waterproof barriers, and attach deep anchors to your foundation to secure your home to sturdy bedrock or stable soil. Foundation problems occur for many reasons, but in the end, a sinking house is a sinking house. Don’t be swallowed by the Earth! Call your local foundation repair contractor immediately to remedy the problem before it becomes irreparable!

Now that you’ve learned your lesson about never letting any potential problem in your home go unchecked by a professional, it’s time to turn to the services of your local handyman to fix all of those pesky leaks, squeaks, and imperfections from the attic to the garage. Your handyman will be able to perform many indoor and outdoor repairs, installation, and maintenance tasks, including master plumber work, air conditioning repair, electrical work, water heater installation, appliance installation, patio construction, and more!

But you’re not done. After seeing the difference that a few repairs or installations can make in your home, home improvement has finally stopped being something you did to save your house and has turned into an enjoyable hobby! Stop staring at sinks, counters, and other kitchen and bathroom fixtures that have been in place since the 1970s. Call in your local remodeling contractor, and check out the most trendy new patterns and color combinations! Exterior upgrades can be fun as well. Your concrete contractors will be able to help you design an artsy-looking sidewalk or stepping stone path, and your handyman will be able to help you choose a new lighting design that will complement your beautiful new kitchen! Keep going and pretty soon, your home will be worthy of a magazine cover!

The change is startling. Just a little help from your local home services experts, and you can go from living in a sinking monstrosity to a beautiful, contemporary home. Bring out your home’s potential, and live in the palace you always dreamed about! Take control with help from your professional, local handyman.

Many homeowners only turn to their local plumbers when they have clogged pipes or need drain repair, but master plumbers can provide a full range of services to help you get the absolute most out of your home. Don’t just rely on your plumber for repairs and emergency services–they can help you with a full range of installations and upgrades to make your home more comfortable, safer, and even more energy-efficient. If you’re interested in enhancing your house, your plumber can help!

Tankless Water Heaters

A great way to reduce energy usage and energy bills at the same time, tankless water heater installation brings you all the hot water your household needs, but without the waste of traditional hot water heaters. By heating the water as you use it, instead of storing hot water in a reservoir (and cycling on and off all day to keep that water hot), tankless hot water heaters provide you with ample hot water and decreased energy bills. Your area plumber can help you select a tankless water heater that’s suited to your home’s particular water needs, ensuring you get superior performance and energy savings!

Water Treatment Systems

Whether your water is coming from a municipal supply or a well, it may not be as clean as you think. Your drinking water can contain everything from dissolved minerals that can lead to hard water issues to heavy metals and pollutants that can compromise your health. Make sure the water your family drinks is safe and clean with water treatment services. Your plumbing professional can put in a water treatment system that filters out the contaminants, leaving your water clean and fresh. From water softeners to water purifiers, there is a full range of products available to address your specific water quality issues. Your plumber can help you determine the best water treatment system for your particular home and needs as well as provide expert installation, ensuring you and your family are drinking safe, clean water.

And of course, if you are facing an emergency with your plumbing–like a leaking faucet or a clogged drain–your local plumbers are available to help. So whether you’re looking for healthier tap water or a professional for water leak detection services, it’s time to contact your master plumber today. They’re ready to help take the best care of both you and your home!